Posts by Earl Lee Warning

Massachusetts smoke alarm requirements have been updated! The previous requirement was both photoelectric and ionization alarms at each required location. That has been changed to require just photoelectric alarms at each required location. Another example validating the superior performance of photoelectric technology over ionization technology! The changes also require a 10 year sealed battery. This…

Clipsal by Schneider Electric, Australia’s number one brand of electrical accessories, has announced it is discontinuing sales of ionization smoke alarms. In announcing the move, Clipsal states “photoelectric alarms are more advanced at detecting smoke from smouldering fires, which are most often associated with residential fatalities”. Read the Article HERE

The state of Queensland, Australia on August 31, 2016 voted in mandatory photoelectric smoke alarm legislation which will take effect January 1, 2017. With the Northern Territory previously having legislated similar language, about one third of Australia is now photoelectric specific. Congratulations to Adrian Butler and all our friends “Downunder” who helped make this a reality and…

Last night we filmed my first public service announcement (PSA)! It will introduce me in my first live-action and speaking role! In my PSA’s I will inform the public about the importance of photoelectric smoke alarms like me, and eventually I will help my friends at NEOFPA promote all fire safety lessons! Hopefully this PSA…

“A veto-proof majority of the New York City Council has signed on as co-sponsors of a law that would push residents to install a kind of smoke detector that might be more likely to save lives than the type frequently found in city homes.” Read the story HERE

CLEVELAND – New safety laws are coming to Ohio Wednesday and it all started with a 5 on your side investigation. We’ve been showing you the difference between ionization and photoelectric alarms for more than three years. Now, the state is requiring that all new construction have photoelectric alarms installed. Watch the story HERE

This report by market research company Technavio indicates the continued growth of photoelectric technology within the residential industry. “The photoelectric smoke detectors segment should expand at a rapid rate during the forecast period. Growth in this segment may be spurred by the reducing number of ionization smoke detectors. Photoelectric smoke detectors offer a fast response…

The Columbus Dispatch published a story on the photoelectric specific language that went into effect 1-1-16 in the Residential Code of Ohio. This code applies to new construction of 1, 2 and 3 family residential occupancies including new renovations of existing occupancies. The new language requires at least one photoelectric smoke alarm on each floor level…

North Eastern Ohio Fire Prevention Association members President John Desmarteau and Mike Girbino recently appeared on Cleveland’s Fox8 News to promote changing your ionization smoke alarms to photoelectric alarms when you change your clocks. Watch the news story video HERE

(WAFB/WBRC) – A recent test shows which type of smoke detector you have in your home could make a big difference in how fast you’re alerted to a fire. National Fire Protection Association statistics show half of all fire deaths are due to smoke inhalation and a common type of smoke alarm may be partially to…

Joe Gagnon is “America’s favorite consumer advocacy and appliance repair expert.” His radio program, “Appliance Doctor Radio Show” has been on the radio for 25 years across the country. He recently learned the differences about smoke alarm technology from our friend Dean Dennis and now advocates only photoelectric smoke alarms. Download Joe’s smoke alarm story here: Ask…

WTHR Channel 13 Indiana recently interviewed former Indiana State Fire Marshal Roger Johnson who wants to prevent fire fatalities by warning the public to choose an alarm that can better warn a sleeping family of a slow-burning, smoldering fire. A photoelectric alarm. Mr. Johnson wrote a message to the public that all families must read! Download…

At its meeting on December 4, 2015, the Board of Building Standards adopted amendments to the Residential Code of Ohio effective January 1, 2016. These changes are to Section 314, Smoke Alarms, and affect smoke alarm technology, requiring both photoelectric and ionization technology smoke alarms to be installed on each level within each dwelling unit and…

November 17, 2015 | KPRC Channel 2 Houston Investigates Ionization Smoke Alarm Failures. HOUSTON – It’s the middle of the night and your house catches fire. At this point, the most valuable thing in your home is your smoke detector, which is designed to sound the alarm when fire breaks out. That smoke detector’s sole purpose…

On October 2, 2015, three members of the North Eastern Ohio Fire Prevention Association (NEOFPA) met with Consumer Product Safety Commission Commissioner Elliott Kaye and some of his staff regarding ionization smoke alarms. Our members voiced concerns of the fire service regarding the continued use of ionization smoke alarms both in the retail environment and…

‘Today Investigates: Smoke Alarms’ Channel 9 Australia ‘Today Show’ 23 September 2015. Since June 2006 Australian and New Zealand Fire Brigades have been advocating for photoelectric smoke alarms. Australian Fire Brigades and the Logan City Council are urging legislation is passed to make photoelectric smoke alarms mandatory in all Australian homes. Watch the news story…

From Chagrin Falls, Ohio Fire Department: “Two people…scratch that, the wife was pregnant….three Chagrin Valley residents are alive this morning thanks to Photoelectric Smoke Alarms. They had three alarms, a Photoelectric on the first floor, Photoelectric in the basement, and Ionization on the second floor outside the bedrooms. Both Photoelectric Smoke Alarms Activated and the…

On May 13th, 2015, Fire-Lite Alarms announced they had decided to discontinue the manufacture of ionization smoke detectors as of July 1, 2015. In their announcement, Fire-Lite stated, in part, “As technology progressed, photoelectric and multi-criteria detectors have evolved to provide comparable or better performance while delivering superior false alarm immunity. Due to their radioactive content, ionization detectors…

NewsNet5 in Cleveland Ohio aired the story on the new photoelectric smoke alarm language in the Residential Code of Ohio. This code covers new construction of all one, two and three family homes. This language requiring photoelectric smoke alarms will certainly save lives! Watch/read Part 1 of the story HERE Watch/read Part 2 of the story HERE